Book recommendations

chesterbells said:
The Papillon book was/is a fabulous read. In fact I found the film unbearable when I saw it years later. The book is just so vivid.

A third of the way through Clive Myrie’s book, and enjoying it so far. I hardly ever read or enjoy biographies, so the acid test will be if I manage to finish it. (One mention of City so far btw!).

Has anyone read The Seventh Son by Faulks? Published last year I think. Came across mention of it in an article few days ago, but digging a bit deeper, the reviews seem really mixed.
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The second Papillon book Banco was a great read as well.
 
bennyboy said:
The second Papillon book Banco was a great read as well.
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Never knew there was a second tbf, cheers.
Is that also “based on truth”? Without giving too much away, does it follow the same story straight from the end of the previous book?
 
Street Level Superstar , A Year With Lawrence - Will Hodgkinson

Indie musician Lawrence (Felt, Denim, Go Kart Mozart) who has never used the internet and apparently spends most of his time walking around London for no particular reason although its mentioned that he walked around Beckenham because Bowie once lived there and another area because the punk band Eater formed there.
Only about thirty pages in but it's an engrossing and darkly amusing read if you grew up on 80s indie particularly.
I've followed his career for over thirty years and I can't work out if he's serious or just having one big joke at our expense. If you know his post Felt work you'll know what I mean.
In some senses I feel uneasy that he is being exploited (there has already been a film about him Lawrence of Belgravia) as I assume that he has some kind of mental illness is autistic or has a substance problem. What comes across is someone who cannot deal with the 21st century but has a burning belief in the power of music.
 
The Wager by David Grann.

The best book I've read in years. It's title is the name of an 18th century warship. The book is a non fiction account that tells the story of its final mission and wreck of the coast of Chile. And how its crew of several hundred was whittled down to 3 small groups who made it back.

It's an incredible story and a well written book.
 
Guns, Germs and Steel.

Just finished it. It's an exploration of how human societies developed, and the vagaries which allowed some to thrive and some to stagnate. One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.
 
Gareth Barry Conlon said:
The Wager by David Grann.

The best book I've read in years. It's title is the name of an 18th century warship. The book is a non fiction account that tells the story of its final mission and wreck of the coast of Chile. And how its crew of several hundred was whittled down to 3 small groups who made it back.

It's an incredible story and a well written book.
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I read a review of this a few weeks ago and it’s on my “to read” list. Glad to hear that somebody on here rates it highly too.
 
I'm loathe to recommend Ken Follet but I have to admit that 'Pillars of the Earth' was a brilliant read. Very long but he does have a knack of writing a page-turner.
 
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Just finished The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Gets good reviews, but to be honest I found it a bit of a struggle to finish and not that engaging. Mainly down to the bitty style of writing and probably too many characters? Anyone else read this book ? And what did you think ?
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Just finished The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Gets good reviews, but to be honest I found it a bit of a struggle to finish and not that engaging. Mainly down to the bitty style of writing and probably too many characters? Anyone else read this book ? And what did you think ?
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I thought it was ok but didn't rush out to read any of his others. I might sometime but got other books I'd rather read first
 
I'd highly recommend this book especially if you remember the football from that era
 

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I bought Ted the dog’s pawtography as a daft Xmas present for the GLW.
We both love Gone Fishing so just thought it would be a book full of daft stuff.
Quite an uplifting story full of warmth and humour.
On the short side but you’ll feel happy to have read it.
 
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I suspect this may be informative

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How We Learn to be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde

An inspirational guide to the key moments in life that, if navigated with faith and discernment, pave the way for us to become our most courageous selves. The decisive moments in life are those pivot points when we’re called on to push past our fears and act with strength. With How We Learn to...
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Maintainin said:
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Just saw this. I worked as a claims handler & claims investigator for over 30 years. Worked for Guardian, AXA, Norwich Union . All of these were reputable insurers. However, my last job was working for the Aaron Banks group. Should have known what I was letting myself in for when on my 1st day induction I was told it was my job to throw out claims for any reason I could find. Honest mistakes were treated like the customer was a criminal. I was sacked for paying a ladies claim who was clearly not at fault. After I left they took her to court to try and get their money back. The judge told them to get lost as the woman had fully comp so even if she was at fault they would have to pay out
 
Churchlawtonblue said:
Just finished The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Gets good reviews, but to be honest I found it a bit of a struggle to finish and not that engaging. Mainly down to the bitty style of writing and probably too many characters? Anyone else read this book ? And what did you think ?
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I agree. I put a review on one of these threads a few years ago after I read it.I like Richard Osman as TV personality and host but I think he’s an average writer at best. The book was a good idea but lacked execution and the short sentences made it look like something a child would write in places. I can’t believe an editor didn’t have a quiet word and sort out the first half of the book with him.

I was going to say that I’m surprised the series has done so well but I’m not really. If you are TV personality you can write any old rubbish and the publishers wil be all over you. To be fair, it’s their job to make money and the great British public will buy anything if it’s marketed right.
 
richardtheref said:
Just saw this. I worked as a claims handler & claims investigator for over 30 years. Worked for Guardian, AXA, Norwich Union . All of these were reputable insurers. However, my last job was working for the Aaron Banks group. Should have known what I was letting myself in for when on my 1st day induction I was told it was my job to throw out claims for any reason I could find. Honest mistakes were treated like the customer was a criminal. I was sacked for paying a ladies claim who was clearly not at fault. After I left they took her to court to try and get their money back. The judge told them to get lost as the woman had fully comp so even if she was at fault they would have to pay out
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Both me and Luigi like this post ;-)
 
Just finished the latest Karin Slaughter book, if you like your whodunit, I think she may be as good as anyone
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A bit late to it, but just about to finish Lincoln Highway Amor Towles. Beautiful story with such intriguing characters. A real good read I thought.
 
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